October 2023

Veteran of the Month, October 2023

Colonel (Retired) Harriet Lewis Staten

Colonel (Retired) Harriet Lewis Staten was born and raised in Albany, GA to the late Sarah Lee Jefferson and Joe Lee Lewis (A Vietnam Veteran). She is the oldest of 8 children: 6 brothers (Ricky, Karl (deceased), Frank, Victor, Joe, Avery) and 1 sister (Deborah).  She was raised by her grandmother, Metter Lewis whom she credits for making her the woman she is today. Ms. Metter nicknamed Harriet “Peaches” when she was a baby because she said “she was sooo sweet!” For years, many of Harriet’s childhood friends and relatives only knew her as Peaches, the name to which she still proudly answers.

Colonel Staten was the first in her family to graduate from high school, attend and graduate from college, and the only one of her siblings to serve in the military. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and was a Distinguished Military Graduate commissioned as an Army Second Lieutenant at Albany State University. She is the proud mother of Attorney Tunisia L. Staten- Poole, Esquire and Elementary School Teacher and Coach, Mr. Kenneth L. Staten II and Grandmother (Nana) to Lydia A. Poole. Colonel Staten graduated with honors from Oklahoma University with a Masters in Human Relations.

Colonel Staten is a licensed Georgia Real Estate Broker and owner of Promise Realty, Inc. and HLS & Associates, LLC. She served as an Adjunct Professor at Argosy University from 2010-2015.

She earned and Executive Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Acquisition) from Strayer University. She served as the Treasurer for the Department of GA, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), William E. Tate, Chapter 1, DAV, and Atlanta Metro Chapter of the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW). Colonel Staten is also President Emeritus of the Atlanta Metro Chapter of the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW).

 Colonel Staten served on active duty in the Army for 24 years. She is a Logistics Officer who commanded two Headquarters Companies, taught Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte), and culminated her prestigious Army career as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Reserve Command at Fort McPherson, GA. She is a graduate of the Army Command & General Staff College, Combined Arms Services Staff College, Army

Force Management and Human Resources Management Courses, to name a few. Colonel Staten’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2d Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (3d Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Overseas Service Medal. Colonel Staten was selected to Outstanding Young Women of America 1991 and Worldwide Who’s Who 2013.

Colonel Staten currently resides in the Atlanta metro area. She is an active member of Divine Faith Ministries International, Jonesboro, GA.; Member of the Atlanta Metro Chapter of the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW); Lifetime Member of Military Officer’s Association of America, Association of the United States Army, National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). She is also the President, of Curries Crossing Home Owner’s Association Executive Board of Directors. She loves to travel, shop, dance, and spend time with family and friends.